Tired of navigating through an overloaded context menu on Windows 11? Good news: New+, the latest PowerToy, might just be for you.
Windows 11 has its fans and its detractors, but one thing is for sure: its context menu often makes people cringe. Fortunately, a developer has decided to take matters into their own hands. Here is New+, the tool that might well become your best ally in everyday life.
Before we dive into the details of New+, let’s take a quick step back. PowerToys is a bit like the Swiss Army knife of Windows. Born in the days of Windows 95 (yes, we’re not getting any younger), these little pieces of software were intended to fill the gaps in the operating system. Over time, Microsoft ended up officially adopting them, transforming them into a collection of valuable tools for power users.
Today, PowerToys are available for download for Windows 10 and 11, and their source code is even accessible on GitHub. It is in this fertile ground that New+ was born.
New+: the context menu reinvented
So what exactly is New+? Basically, it’s a tool that will allow you to customize the “New” submenu in the Windows 11 context menu. You know, that menu that appears when you right-click on the desktop or in a folder.
The problem with this menu is that it tends to become a real catch-all over time. Each new application installed adds its own options, and you quickly end up with an endless list that is not really practical.
Source: Christian Gaardmark
This is where New+ comes in. The idea of its creator, Christian Gaardmark, is to let you decide what appears in this menu. You will be able to create files or folders from custom templates, and most importantly, choose which options to display first.
New+ doesn’t just reorganize your menu. It also lets you customize the appearance of each item. You can display file extensions, change names, add icons, and more.
But be careful, it’s not a miracle solution either. For now, New+ has some limitations. For example, it can’t handle more than 20 templates at a time, and it doesn’t allow you to create submenus (a limitation imposed by Windows itself). In addition, New+ is not intended to completely replace the existing “New” menu. It’s more of a complement, a way to make it more useful and personalized.
New+ is still in its early stages of development, and its creator already has plenty of ideas for the future. For example, he plans to create an assistant to make menu customization easier, or even a store where users might share their templates.
Even more surprisingly, its creator is already thinking of integrating AI in its tool. The idea would be to be able to generate objects via customizable prompts. We’re not there yet, but it gives an idea of the potential of New+.
New+: The Windows 11 Context Menu Savior
Tired of navigating through an overloaded context menu on Windows 11? Good news: New+, the latest PowerToy, might just be for you.
Source: Christian Gaardmark
Windows 11 has its fans and its detractors, but one thing is for sure: its context menu often makes people cringe. Fortunately, a developer has decided to take matters into their own hands. Here is New+, the tool that might well become your best ally in everyday life.
Before we dive into the details of New+, let’s take a quick step back. PowerToys is a bit like the Swiss Army knife of Windows. Born in the days of Windows 95 (yes, we’re not getting any younger), these little pieces of software were intended to fill the gaps in the operating system. Over time, Microsoft ended up officially adopting them, transforming them into a collection of valuable tools for power users.
Today, PowerToys are available for download for Windows 10 and 11, and their source code is even accessible on GitHub. It is in this fertile ground that New+ was born.
New+: The Context Menu Reinvented
So what exactly is New+? Basically, it’s a tool that will allow you to customize the “New” submenu in the Windows 11 context menu. You know, that menu that appears when you right-click on the desktop or in a folder.
The problem with this menu is that it tends to become a real catch-all over time. Each new application installed adds its own options, and you quickly end up with an endless list that is not really practical.
Source: Christian Gaardmark
This is where New+ comes in. The idea of its creator, Christian Gaardmark, is to let you decide what appears in this menu. You will be able to create files or folders from custom templates, and most importantly, choose which options to display first.
New+ doesn’t just reorganize your menu. It also lets you customize the appearance of each item. You can display file extensions, change names, add icons, and more.
Benefits and Practical Tips
* **Simplified Context Menu:** New+ can streamline your Windows 11 context menu, eliminating clutter and making it easier to find the options you need.
* **Customizable Templates:** Create files and folders from personalized templates for tasks you perform frequently, saving time and effort.
* **Enhanced Organization:** Prioritize the most important context menu options and customize their display for a more intuitive workflow.
* **Personalization:** Tailor the appearance of your context menu by adding icons, changing names, and displaying file extensions, making it uniquely yours.
Case Studies
* **Web Developer:** A web developer might create a template for a new HTML file, setting the default text, document type, and a pre-defined folder structure, enhancing productivity.
* **Graphic Designer:** A graphic designer might create templates for different file formats (like PSD, JPG, PNG) with specific dimensions and settings, streamlining project setup.
* **Student:** A student might create templates for research papers, essays, or presentations, pre-filled with essential elements and formatting, speeding up the writing process.
First-Hand Experience
Using New+ to customize my context menu has been a game-changer. I’ve created templates for common document types, prioritized my most frequently used options, and even added icons to make the menu visually appealing. It’s now a much more efficient and personalized experience.
Limitations and Future Plans
New+ is still in its early stages of development. While it’s a powerful tool, be aware of these limitations:
* **Template Limit:** New+ currently handles up to 20 templates at a time.
* **Submenu Restrictions:** Windows limitations prevent New+ from creating submenus within the context menu.
* **Complete Replacement:** New+ is intended to complement the existing “New” menu, not replace it entirely.
Christian Gaardmark, the developer of New+, has ambitious plans for the future, including:
* **Assistant for Easier Customization:** A dedicated assistant might simplify menu customization for users.
* **Template Sharing Marketplace:** A store where users can share their custom templates with the community.
* **AI Integration:** The possibility of using AI to generate objects based on customizable prompts is a tantalizing prospect for future versions.
New+ offers a fresh perspective on the Windows 11 context menu, providing a customizable solution for power users and anyone who wants to maximize their workflow efficiency.
